Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi the two legends have a record that is exclusive to them. Both are the only male tennis players to have completed the career Golden Slam. It’s when you win all four grand slams and the Olympic gold medal in the singles. Fourteen years ago, at Wimbledon 2006, they both crossed the road and that was Agassi’s last game at the Championships.
Rafael Nadal vs Andre Agassi at Wimbledon 2006
Agassi played a 21 year old Nadal in the third round. The American had already announced that he would play his last Wimbledon in 2006. Agassi was at the end of his career and therefore the young Nadal had a routine victory over the American. The score was 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-4.
But unlike the tradition in which the loser of the game is not interviewed. Agassi was interviewed and announced there that he would retire after the US Open. He spoke highly of young Rafa and applauded the Spaniard’s enthusiasm for winning points.
“When you are 18, 19 you are eager and all you are thinking about is really the next point. I recognize him in Nadal. He has a real sense of professionalism when it comes to his environment, but he’s out there trying to win the next point every time. ” Agassi said.
Read more: French Open 2016: when Andre Agassi wrote a letter to Rafael Nadal
Nadal after sealing the game said goodbye to the American. Agassi deserved the farewell he was receiving as he did so much in sports.
“I am very happy for Andre, he deserves such a farewell. He deserves it because he is one of the best players in history, he is a legend and has had an incredible career ” Nadal said
Agassi would continue playing at the US Open, where he would lose in the third round and receive a four-minute standing ovation from the crowd. Nadal reached his first Wimbledon final that year. But he would lose to Roger Federer. This was the first of three Wimbledon finals between Nadal and Federer.
